Namit Das & his band recreate Badan Pe Sitare Lapete Huye

Experimenting with varied arts has pretty much been the motto for actor Namit Das, who has had a string of interesting projects throughout the year. The versatile artist continues to answer his call as a singer and composer as he covers Indian melodies with his band. Namit’s latest cover is a rendition of Badan Pe Sitare Lapete Huye, which he has performed with  his bandmate, Anurag Shanker. The original song is an iconic hit composed by Shankar Jaikishan, written by Hasrat Jaipuri and sung by Mohammad Rafi for the film Prince starring Shammi Kapoor and Vyjayanthimala. 

Excited about the cover, Namit says, “This golden hit classic has been celebrated by listeners for over 51 years! The original song was given a very modern arrangement of music and style of rendition. With his divine voice, Rafi saab made it a dance anthem for eternity. One of the edgiest on-screen personas in Bollywood, Shammi Kapoor has inspired not only actors but creators from across the board with his unique performances and style. We take one of his signatures songs and bring down an epic old school funk arrangement on it to give listeners the ‘pinkmoon’ mix. It is the last of the quarantine jams before we get back to our own material starting with a live release this month.” 

The actor-singer-composer drops the cover as a tribute to two of most revered icons of Bollywood – Shammi Kapoor and Mohammad Rafi. Namit’s band is a collaboration that composes and performs songs that are raw, simple, and emotionally moving in a traditional ‘light classical’ style of music. The band is rooted in Indian tradition but looks out with an edge of attitude and a modern, contemporary vision. Das, whose father is a ghazal singer applies his musical upbringing to the covers and compositions of this band. 

Currently, Namit is shooting for his upcoming ZEE5 film, Aafat-E-Ishq. He awaits the streaming of Mira Nair’s BBC One series, A Suitable Boy.